TUI accused of sexism over in-flight stickers
TUI has been accused of sexism after giving out ‘future captain’ stickers to boys and ‘future cabin crew’ stickers to girls on its flights.
The issue hit the headlines this week after being taken up by Dame Gillian Morgan, the former permanent secretary to the Welsh Assembly Government.
She noticed the stickers being handed out in that way on a recent flight to Bristol from Paphos with her great-niece and great-nephew.
In an interview with Metro, Dame Gillian said it was ‘deeply sexist’ and said she was ‘absolutely sure’ it was deliberate to hand stickers by gender.
"I just think it’s a shame," she said.
"TUI were trying, I think, to do the right thing but fundamentally missed the point. There must have been a way of doing it with a bit more thought. I was quite upset by it really."
Other passengers had already criticised TUI on social media.
One Twitter user said: "Lovely touch by @TUIUK flying out of Corfu Friday by giving children TUI stickers and activity sheet… not so lovely that all the boys were given ‘future pilot’ stickers and the girls ‘future cabin crew’?! Sexist much?"
Another said: "@TUIUK your cabin crew today chose ‘future tui cabin crew’ stickers for the girls and ‘future pilot’ for the boys, no female pilots then?"
A TUI UK spokesperson said: "We’re sorry to hear a small number of customers have been upset by this.
"We think it has just been a simple mix-up since our future pilot and cabin crew stickers are designed for use for any child regardless of gender.
"The stickers are part of our activity packs which are intended to be used by crew to interact, engage with and create special moments for our customers on their holiday.
"The feedback we’ve had so far this summer has been overwhelmingly positive.
"Children fall in love with flying when they go on their holidays with us and we want to encourage their dreams of becoming future pilots and crew members."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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